International seminar on geological disposal program in Canada was held

International seminar on geological disposal program in Canada was held

On March 10, 2017, NUMO held an international seminar on the geological disposal program in Canada, with about 130 people of audience. Mr. Ken Nash, former President of NWMO (Nuclear Waste Management Organization) gave a presentation. He explained the current status of the Canadian radioactive waste management including Canada’s plan for the long-term management of used nuclear fuel named “Adaptive Phased Management” (APM) emerged from a three-year dialogue with both specialists and the general public including indigenous people. NWMO designed the process for site selection with Canadians collaboratively. APM is a flexible management system in the pace and manner of implementation. NWMO has been building relationships with Canadians in decision making of every process. Tours of waste storage facilities and many meetings with Canadians contributed to enhance understanding of geological disposal. In the round-table discussion, it was shared that a key point for communication is that social-scientists open the door for dialogue first and then engineers and scientists explain in detail. CNSC, the regulatory authority, had meetings with communities to explain their independent roles for safety of geological disposal before the licensing stage. The seminar program is as follows:

Date:

March 10, Friday, 2017

Time:

1:30 p.m. through 4:00 p.m.

Venue:

Hall of AIJ Building (Kenchiku Kaikan), Tokyo

Program:

1.

Welcome remarks

Dr. Shunsuke Kondo, President, NUMO

2.

Presentation

“Canada’s Plan for the Long-Term Management of Used Nuclear Fuel” by Mr. Ken Nash, former President, NWMO

3.

Round-table discussion

Site selection process and communication/dialogue with the public
Mr. Ken Nash
Ms. Sumiko Takeuchi
Senior Fellow
Member, Board of Directors
International Environment and Economy Institute
Visiting Professor, University of Tsukuba
Dr. Shunsuke Kondo